Translator’s Subjectivity In Legislative Translation

Legislative texts, as the most precise texts with legal effect, have more rigorous translation requirements than any other type of translations. In the past, the requirements for legislative translation were word for word or sentence for sentence. Therefore, legal translators could only transcode mechanically. Later, some scholars put forward that legal translation was not only a translation between language, but also a communication between different legal cultures and that the legal translator’s job was to convey the original legal effects to readers. At that time, the legal translator gained the chance to play his subjectivity gradually in the process of legislative translation. Moreover, in multi-language countries or organizations, the legal translator is not only the mediator between multi-language legislative texts, but also the participant in law making, which is the most powerful evidence for the manifestation of the subjectivity of the legal translator. The thesis mainly analyzes the manifestation of the legal translator’s subjectivity in the process of legislative translation.Firstly, the thesis introduces the legislative language in detail and the features of legislative language. Then, the thesis educes the translation of legislative texts after the introduction. In the next, the thesis introduces the development of the translation of legislative texts in both China and western countries. The development process of legislative translation is the process of the changing role of translators.Secondly, the thesis puts forwards three main requirements for the legal translator which will affect the quality of the legislative translation. To be a qualified legal translator, first of all, he needs to be proficient in both languages and master translation theories and methods; secondly, he needs to master the legal cultures and legal knowledge in both countries and their discrepancies; thirdly, he must do his job with a prudent, careful and responsible attitude according to the requirement for legislative translation.Last, the thesis analyzes the manifestation of the translator’s subjectivity from the translation process of the word level, syntactical level and discourse level of legislative texts. Due to the subjectivity of the legal translator, the translated legislative texts are more acceptable for the readers. The legislative aims and legal effects of the original texts are conveyed more efficiently and the legal confusions caused by the obscure translations are avoided.In conclusion, the thesis considers that in the translation of legislative texts, the subjectivity of the legal translator plays an important role in making the translation more fluent, clear and idiomatic, which accelerates the communication of different legal cultures and the orderly conduction of different activity from all over the world.